UNITED CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS

That this House notes the unanimous support of the Northern Ireland Assembly for the award of broadcasting radio licences to United Christian Broadcasters Ltd; welcomes the decision on 7th November 2000 of the European Court of Human Rights 'that there is no restriction on religious bodies applying for and being granted licences for local broadcasting'; is encouraged that the Minister responsible, the honourable Member for Rossendale and Darwen, has commended UCB as stated on 15th December 2000 that 'it is high time that UCB were allowed to apply for a national licence'; and deplores the decision of the Radio Authority on 26th April 2000 to refuse a local digital multiplex licence for this Northern Ireland Region to United Christian Broadcasters.